Samsung has been overtaken.

SK Hynix, the world's second-largest memory chip manufacturer, has overtaken Samsung Electronics to become the global DRAM market leader in the first quarter of 2025. According to newly released data from Counterpoint Research , SK Hynix held a 36% market share, while Samsung's share dropped to 34%.

Statistics show that SK Hynix is leading in Q1 2025. Source: Counterpoint .

This marks the first time in over 30 years of competition between the two South Korean companies that Samsung has been dethroned in the DRAM market – a key component in computers, servers, and artificial intelligence systems.

"This continues to be a wake-up call for Samsung," said MS Hwang, research director at Counterpoint Research. According to him, SK Hynix has capitalized on the AI wave by dominating the high-bandwidth memory (HBM) chip segment, a product with high added value and superior profit margins compared to traditional DRAM.

HBM is a special type of DRAM chip, with multiple layers stacked on top of each other to optimize data transfer speeds, widely used in Nvidia's high-end graphics cards and high-performance AI systems. With the boom in artificial intelligence, the demand for HBM is increasing sharply, creating a golden opportunity for SK Hynix.

SK Hynix's HBM3E memory chip. Source: Bloomberg

According to analysts surveyed by Bloomberg , SK Hynix is expected to report a 38% increase in first-quarter revenue and a 129% increase in operating profit compared to the same period last year. The company, based in Icheon, South Korea, currently holds a 70% market share of global HBMs – an overwhelming figure in a highly competitive environment.

Forecasts from TrendForce indicate that in 2025, SK Hynix is likely to maintain over 50% of the HBM market share in gigabit output, while Samsung's market share will fall to below 30%. Micron Technology, another competitor, is expected to increase its market share to nearly 20%.

Furthermore, according to Bloomberg Intelligence 's analysis, although the first quarter typically sees seasonal factors impacting revenue, SK Hynix was still able to achieve an impressive operating profit margin of 36-38%. "The high selling price of HBM chips remains a key factor in helping SK Hynix maintain its profit momentum," said Masahiro Wakasugi, an expert at Bloomberg Intelligence.

During the same period, competitor Micron also recorded a moderate single-day price increase for its mainstream DRAM line in the three months ending February 27, indicating a gradual recovery in the memory market, but with clear differentiation between product lines.

Although the DRAM market is gradually recovering thanks to AI, analysts also warn of potential challenges. According to Morgan Stanley, risks from US tariffs, export restrictions to China, and the threat of a global economic recession are hanging over the semiconductor industry.

"The real impact of the tariffs is like an iceberg – the most dangerous part is yet to come," Morgan Stanley noted. Nevertheless, the firm still considers Samsung an attractive investment option due to its strong defensive capabilities, low valuation, and proactive share buyback strategy.

Samsung reported preliminary operating profit of 6.6 trillion won (approximately $4.6 billion ) on revenue of 79 trillion won in the first quarter of 2025. The company is expected to release detailed financial results on April 30th, clarifying the business performance of each segment, with the semiconductor division being particularly anticipated by investors.

As AI continues to reshape the global technology landscape, the race between SK Hynix, Samsung, and Micron in the memory chip sector will intensify, not only in terms of production volume but also in technology and the ability to meet the flexible demands of the market.

Source: https://znews.vn/samsung-bi-vuot-qua-post1548297.html